Syracuse man acquitted in fatal stabbing

Syracuse, NY - A Syracuse man was freed from jail late today after a jury acquitted him in the fatal stabbing of another man during a fight over a woman last year.

An Onondaga County Court jury deliberated about three hours before finding Tyrone C. Loftin Jr. "not guilty" of second-degree murder and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon charges in the death of Clarence Lucas.

Loftin, 24, contended he acted in self defense. He took the witness stand Thursday to testify he believed Lucas was armed with a knife when the confrontation occurred between the two men in front of the victim's home on Pulaski Street about 11:45 p.m. March 17, 2011.

Chief Assistant Distriuct Attorney Matthew Doran asked the jurors to convict Loftin as charged. The prosecution contended Lucas was not armed during the fight.

According to Doran, there was no real dispute about what started the fight. According to authorities, Lucas was dating a woman with whom Loftin had had a prior relationship.

There also was no real dispute that Lucas came off the porch at his home to confront Loftin on the street, the prosecutor said.

The dispute at trial was over whether Lucas was armed, Doran said.

Loftin and at least one other witness claimed Lucas had a shiny object in his hand when he came off the porch and confronted Loftin, Doran said. But other witnesses said they saw no weapon in Lucas' hand at that time, the prosecutor said.

Loftin was accused of intentionally killing Lucas by stabbing the 23-year-old victim multiple times in the chest and abdomen. Lucas died of his injuries the following day at Upstate University Hospital.

Loftin was facing the prospect of being sentenced to serve 25 years to life in state prison if convicted of the murder charge. Instead, County Judge Joseph Fahey ordered him freed from custody immediately after the verdict acquitting him.

Doran said Loftin's relatives appeared elated by the verdict. Lucas' family was extremely upset over the outcome, the prosecutor said.